Big Halibut, Lots of Rockfish and The Stars Come Out

Fishing remained excellent this week with an abundance of tasty rockfish filling angler’s sacks. Vermillion rockfish continue to be the rule for Long Beach-based boats along with a variety of other bottom grabbers being caught.

The thinking is that bottom fishing is so good this year because rockfish thrive in cold water and we have had several cold water years in a row.

The Patriot was out of Newport Landing on Wednesday morning and caught 68 sculpin, 20 sand bass, 25 perch and 4 sheepshead for 14 anglers.

Pam Sharp from Torrance was on board the Outrider out of 22nd St. Landing in San Pedro over the weekend. They headed to San Nicolas Island where fishing was fantastic.

"We pulled limits of ling cod ,no monsters, but nice quality fish with limits of rock fish, and lots of nice sheephead and whitefish,” said Sharp.

Similar results at San Clemente Island for the Freedom, also out of 22nd St Landing. They had limits of rockfish along with several nice lingcod.

Redondo and Marina del Rey are also on a rockfish roll, providing anglers with plenty of rockfish and a shot at a lingcod or two.  

Dana Wharf halibut

A fat 31-lb. halibut was taken by 12-year old Bradley Parr of San Juan Capistrano on Sunday after he had participated in the Dana Wharf Free Kids Fishing Clinic. Parr was not entered in the Dana Wharf Halibut Derby but he gets bragging rights for a flatfish. Moreover, this kid is a quick study, nailing a fish that many anglers dream of just after taking the fishing clinic.  

The Fonz has a new fly-fishing book

Henry Winkler, actor, producer and best-selling author of 17 children's books is best known for his role as the Fonz on Happy Days.  What you probably don't know is that he is an avid fly-fisherman whose favorite spots to fish are in Montana and Idaho.

Winkler's new book, I've Never Met an Idiot on the River, is a delightful collection of humorous anecdotes and heartfelt observations by Winker as he shares the joy and wisdom he's accumulated while honing his skills as a fly-fisherman.

Winkler is an accomplished sportsman who meticulously records the measurements of every fish he hooks. He learned that his yearly trips to the river are not just about catching trout.  More importantly they are about adopting the proper perspective on life.  Or as he puts it, "The river acts like a washing machine for my brain," recharging him and reminding him that anything is possible. 

This book is about life, family, relaxation and love. Henry shares his love of angling with his wife, Stacey, and their three children, Jed, Zoe and Max. 

Winkler will be on Philip Friedman Outdoors Radio this Thursday, 10-11pm on AM 830.

Baja update

Captain Steve Lassley was fishing 100 miles from Magdelena Bay on his private boat Monday and raised 60 striped marlin in 6-hours and hooked over 50 of the majestic billfish. It was all catch and release fishing in some of the best marlin fishing one may ever experience. "Big stripers with 4 around 200-pounds." said Lassley.

Dr. Patel Holiday Party and Toy Drive

What a joyous night as hundreds of giving folks attended the 2011 Dr. Dave Patel/PFO Holiday Party and Toy Drive last Friday. The stars came out for this event with the Laker Girls, Rex Linn from CSI Miami and Los Angeles Dodger Adam Kennedy all in attendance.

Funds were also raised to get more kids outdoors. Over 300 children will get a day's fishing in February out of Pierpoint Landing in Long Beach with the Philip Friedman Outdoors Youth Program. 

Thanks to a generous donation from Friends of Rollo, the girls from the Casa Estrella Orphanage in Rosarito Beach will also be headed out on the high seas for a days fishing on Gamefisher Ensenada.

It was a great night thanks to all of the wonderful people who attended and the many behind the scenes workers who made this party one for the ages. Most of all, thanks to Dr. Gnyandev Patel for bringing so much joy to so many children during the holiday season.

Fishing with Phil this Saturday

I will be on board the 1/2 day boat Southern Cal out of Pierpoint Landing this Saturday, December 17th at 6:30am with some of the staff of Philip Friedman Outdoors. PFO and yours truly will be there to help you catch more fish, have a great time, and providing you with a special jackpot prize when you book your trip with PFO.

Of course we will be shooting a new Patch Fishing Video as well as interviewing some of you for PFO Radio on AM 830. The weather looks great, the rockfish are biting and Fishing with Phil is a blast. To be eligible for the special jackpot, you must book with PFO. Call 424 237 0250 or drop us an e-mail at PhilipFriedmanOutdoors@gmail.com.